Taiwan’s bid for meaningful participation in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change showcased the country’s commitment to achieving zero emissions by 2050 and garnered widespread support from the local public and private sectors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nov. 18.
At the vanguard of this effort was Shen Chih-hsiu, deputy minister of the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration, the MOFA said. He led a delegation of experts and officials to attend various activities on the sidelines of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the Convention staged Oct. 31 to Nov. 13 in Glasgow, the U.K., the ministry added.
According to the MOFA, the activities included 30 bilateral meetings with representatives from 12 of Taiwan’s allies and 10 like-minded countries such as the U.K. and U.S, as well as two international organizations. The delegation also joined 14 side events, three of which were co-staged with allies Belize, Palau and St. Kitts and Nevis, and gave numerous interviews to media outlets from home and abroad, the ministry added.
In addition, 14 allies urged Taiwan’s UNFCCC participation or sent letters calling on the U.N. specialized agency to allow the country’s participation in COP26, the MOFA said.
Highlights of this year’s campaign are the Taiwan Day event and Global Environmental Education Partnership Africa Event co-hosted with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The former shared the country’s experiences in developing renewable energy and green finance, while the latter focused on global collaboration in improving sustainable development in Africa.
Another highly successful initiative is the MOFA’s “A Green Promised Land” short film generating 8 million-plus views since its release in the run-up to COP26, the ministry said, adding that it was complemented by eye-catching advertising on bus stops, metro stations and taxis in Glasgow.
This component of the campaign raised awareness of Taiwan’s rock-solid commitment to combatting climate change, as well as promoting clean energy via constructive, professional and pragmatic participation in the UNFCCC, the MOFA said.
*first published in: taiwantoday.tw
By: N. Peter Kramer
